The History of the Exposition
The ambition for this Exposition was not only to define and celebrate Texas’ unique cultural identity, but also to save the state from economic distress. As Governor Miriam Ferguson exclaimed, “the Texas Centennial in my opinion will bring ten million new people to Texas, which will spend an average of Ten Dollars each for the manufactured products of our natural resources…No matter how you figure the Centennial it means a Hundred Million Dollars of new money turned loose in Texas. I am for it."2 Leigh Clemons, Branding Texas: Performing Culture in the Lone Star State. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008, 9. It may seem strange that leaders believed throwing a party would really help the state, but not when taken in context. Chicago had just hosted the World's Fair, which, despite the Depression, had welcomed huge crowds of people willing to travel to attend and spend money on the Fair as well as Chicago tourism. It was a risk that paid off: Texas indeed received a boon to its tourism and income, and the Centennial is now understood as having helped the state recover from the Depression.
How Dallas Won the Fair
Dallas was a logical choice from the outset, having served as host to the State Fair since the late 1800's. In addition, Dallas was home to a growing number of large corporations and industries. Most importantly, Dallas was able to offer monetary incentives to be picked as host, cited as the “city in Texas offering through the Commission the greatest financial inducement and support”3 Texas Centennial Exhibition held at The Library of Congress, Washington D.C., December 15, 1945 – April 15, 1946. Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 1946, 12. was chosen as the Exposition site over cities which had fought fiercely for the right to host, including state capitol Austin, historically significant San Antonio, and Dallas’ own sister city, Fort Worth. The other cities were still included in the Centennial Celebration, however, this was little comfort to leaders of those cities who recognized the significance of hosting the Exposition, and the money and publicity the host city would enjoy.
2Leigh Clemons, Branding Texas: Performing Culture in the Lone Star State. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008, 9.
3Texas Centennial Exhibition held at The Library of Congress, Washington D.C., December 15, 1945 – April 15, 1946. Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 1946, 12.
